Device for connecting a dispensing coupler to a container for fluid under pressure

ABSTRACT

A device to connect a coupling for a dispensing device to a container of fluid under pressure, of the type comprising a plate which is formed at the edge with clips capable of being engaged from one side of the container around a rim surrounding the end wall, the plate having a tapped hole into which the coupling can be screwed, causing it to bear against the wall of the container to drive in a needle or rod capable of puncturing the wall or of opening the member of a holding valve which is provided thereon, so as to establish free communication between the coupling and the interior of the container, wherein a movable element having at least one coacting clip capable of being engaged around the rolled rim is provided, the coupling when it is screwed into the plate, being arranged to cause the clip of the movable element to be locked in its engaged position around the rolled rim.

United States Patent Corlet 11] 3,777,789 Dec. 11, 1973 1 DEVICE FORCONNECTING A DISPENSING COUPLER TO A CONTAINER FOR FLUID UNDER PRESSUREGabriel Corlet, Pierre-Benite, France [75] Inventor:

Assignee: Application Des Gaz, Paris, France Filed: Jan. 11, 1972 Appl.No.: 217,028

I 301 Foreign Application Priority Data Jai 18, France [5 6] ReferencesCited UNITED STATES PATENTS 11/1960 Nebinger 141/330 X l/l97l Zengeretal ..141/19X Primary Examiner1-,1arvey C. l-lornsby Assistant ExaminerG.R. Robinson Attorney-Arthur E. Dowell, Jr. et al.

[57] ABSTRACT A device to connect a coupling for a dispensing device toa container of fluid under pressure, of the type comprising a platewhich is formed at the edge with clips capable of being engaged from oneside of the container around a rim surrounding the end wall, the platehaving a tapped hole into which the coupling can be screwed, causing itto bear against the wall of the container to drive in a needle or rodcapable of puncturing the wall or of opening the member of a holdingvalve which is provided thereon, so as to establish free communicationbetween the coupling and the interior of the container, wherein amovable element having at least one coacting clip capable of beingengaged around the rolled rim is provided, the coupling when it isscrewed into the plate, being arranged to cause the clip of the movableelement to be locked in its engaged position around the rolled rim.

10 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures 'Illlllll DEVICE FOR CONNECTING ADISPENSING COUPLER TO A CONTAINER FOR FLUID UNDER PRESSURE The inventionrelates to a device by which a coupling 5 for a discharge connection canbe connected on the rolled rim of a container for fluid under pressure,particularly a container holding a liquefied combustible gas.

Such a device may be of the type comprising a plate I which is providedon its edge with clip(s) capable of nication between the coupling andthe interior of the container.

With devices of this type, it is important that once communication hasbeen established between the coupling and the container, the-device mayno longer be detached from the container, so as to avoid the dangerwhich could result for the person using it, especially in the case wherethe container holds a liquefied combustible gas under pressure, whichwould then escape freely into the atmosphere, with the risk of causing afire or even an explosion.

Such a device according to the invention is characterised in that itcomprises a movable element provided with at least oneclip which issuitable for connection to the rolled rim of the container and in thatthe coupling once it is screwed into the plate becomes locked againstthe latter, in its connected position around the aforesaid rolled rim.

The movable element is advantageously formed by a counter-plate throughwhich extends a hole which, when brought into coincidence with the holeof the main plate and traversed with this latter by the threadedcoupling, locks the coacting clip of the counter-plate in relation tothe clips of the plate in the position in which they are engaged on therolled rim of the container.

Preferably, only the hole of the plate (the terms plate" andcounter-plate" must be considered as being interchangeable) which has tobe sandwiched between the other plate and the container, is tapped forreceiving the threaded coupling, while the hole of the other is smoothfor providing free passage to the coupling.

According to one advantageous embodiment, the plate and thecounter-plate are pivotted to one another so as to form with their clipsa gripping device capable of being held locked around the rolled rim ofthe container by the screwing of the coupling into the plate.

The pivot pin. which connects the counter-plate to the plate ispreferably perpendicular to their plane of contact and eccentric withrespect to the holes extendingthrough them. It is then expedient for theplate and the counter-plate to comprise at least one projection and atleast a complementary centering recess which enter one within the otherwhen their holes coincide for receiving the coupling.

According to another embodiment, the pivot pin which connects the plateto the counter-plate is parallel to the plane of contact of theseelements. It is then advantageous to shift the pivot axis out of theaforesaid plane, from the side opposite to that intended to be placed onthe rolled rim of the container, to position it close to this rim and toarrange it parallel to its tangent.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the plate and thecounter-plate are guided one upon the other, by sliding in the directionof a diameter common to the holes extending through them.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way ofexample with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the various parts which form adevice constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a section along the line 11-" (FIG. 4) of the same deviceconnected to the rolled rim of a container of fluid under pressure andlocked by means of a coupling for the withdrawal of the contents of thiscontainer. I

FIGS. 3 and 4 show in plan view the same device, respectively before andafter connection;

FIG. 5 shows, similarly to FIG. 1, certain component parts of a deviceconstructed according to a modification;

FIG; 6 is an axial section of a device constructed in accordance withanother embodiment of the invention, during connection to a container offluidunder pressure;

FIG. 7 is an axial section of the device in F IG. 6, in its lockedposition'on the container by means of a withdrawal coupling;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a device constructed according to yetanother embodiment of the invention.

It is known that industrial firms frequently deliver to their customersproducts under pressure which are stored in containers which, foreconomic reasons, are made of relatively thin sheet metal, somethinglike certain preserve cans, comprising a cylindrical wall 1 which isclosed at its two ends by walls 2 which are curved inwardly in dishedform'towards the axis of the cylinder 1 and united in fluid-tight mannerwith the rims of the latter by beading, so that a rolled rim 3projecting over the periphery of the cylinder 1 is formed at each of theends of the latter.

It will be noted that the containers of the type in question can containaerosols for various uses or even a liquefied combustible gas underpressure, such as butane gas, capable of being used particularly inportable equipment for lighting, cooking or heating purposes.

So as to be able to draw off the contents of the container, it isnecessary toconnect to it a coupling which must establish a tightconnection. It would of course be possible to provide one of thecoupling elements on the container itself, but this would increase thecost of manufacture of the container. It is more advantageous toestablish this coupling element in the form of a device independent ofthe container, which device can be removably connected on the rim 3.

The device shown in FIGS. 1-4 comprises a main plate 4 which is providedat its edge with clips 5 capable of being connected, from one side ofthe container, around its rim 3, and which is provided with a tappedapertured member 6, into which a withdrawal coupling 7 can be screwed,causing it to bear against the wall 2 of the container through anannular seal 8 and causing it to drive in, through the seal, a needle 9capable of puncturing the wall, so as to establish free communicationbetween the coupling and the interior of the container.

It will be appreciated that it is important to provide means capable ofpreventing the plate 4 from being able inopportunely to becomedisconnected from the rim 3, as long as the container still holdspressurised fluid.

For this purpose, the plate 4 has associated therewith a movable elementcomprising at least one coacting clip capable of being connected, fromthe opposite side of the container, around the rolled rim 3, and thecoupling 7, when it is screwed into the plate 4, becomes locked to theplate in its connected position around the rolled rim 3.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, the movable element isformed by a counter-plate l l which also has a hole 12 extendingtherethrough, and this hole, when it is brought into coincidence withthe hole 6 and when both holes receive the threaded coupling 7, locksthe coacting clip 10 in relation to the clips 5 of the plate 4 in itsposition in which it is connected around the rolled rim 3 of thecontainer.

The tapped hole 6 may be that of a neck-like element connected to theplate 4, for example by crimping, in a non-circular opening 13.

It will be noted that the tapped hole 6 is in the plate 4 which issandwiched between the counter-plate 11 and the container, while thehole 12 formed in the counter-plate 11 is smooth for providing freepassage to the coupling 7. The plate 4 and the counter-plate 11 arepivotted on one another by a pin 14 which is perpendicular to theirplane of contact and which is eccentric with respect to the holes 6 and12 extending through the plates, so as to form with their clips 5 and10, respectively, a gripping device capable of being tightened aroundthe rolled rim 3 of the container by simply screwing the coupling 7 intothe tapped hole 6.

It is advantageous to provide additional means in the plate 4 and thecounter-plate 11 in one, the counterplate 11 in the present instance,there is provided at least one projection in the form of a downwardlydirected boss, and in the other, the plate 4 in the present instance,there is formed at least one recess in the form ofa hole 16, theprojection and hole being complementary, so as to be able to ensure astrict automatic centering of the hole 12 on the hole 6 when they enterone another and thus to avoid the play liable to exist between the rimof the hole 12 and the union 7 with a threaded base being able to permitthe clips 5 from becoming loosened beneath the rim 3 of the container.

For positioning the connection device on the container, thecounter-plate 11 is caused to pivot, as shown in HO. 3, on the plate 4about the pivot pin 14 in a clockwise direction, so as to space thecoacting clip 10 from the periphery of the plate 4, this permitting theclips 5 of the latter to be engaged beneath the rim 3 of the container,whereafter the counter-plate 11 is caused to pivot in the reversedirection about the pivot pin l4,'until the coacting clip 10 is appliedfrom the opposite side beneath the rim 3 of the container.

The device is then in the position shown in FIG. 4, in which the holes 6and 12 coincide. The coupling 7 can then be screwedinto position in thehole 6. By this screwing action, a shoulder 17 of the coupling bearsagainst the counter-plate 11 along the rim of the hole 12, causing thecounter-plate tightly to grip against the plate 4, while causing thecentering projection 15 to enter the corresponding hole 16.

The assembly is then in the position shown in H6. 2, in which allmovement of the counter-plate ll relatively to the plate 4 is preventedby the coupling 7.

The device shown in FIG. 5 differs from that which has just beendescribed simply by the fact that the plate 4a has been cut away at itsperiphery to reduce the material required for its manufacture, making itlighter and less costly and making it possible to see, between the rim 3of the container and the device, how the coupling 7 is bearing with itsannular joint 8 against the central part of the wall 2 of the container.

In both cases, it is expedient to form the clip or clips 5 or 5aprovided on the plate and the coacting clip 10 or 10a provided on thecounter-plate, in the form of flanged rims capable of enclosing over aconsiderable length one of the opposite halves of the rolled rim 3 ofthe container 1.

The embodiment which is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 differs from thepreviously described embodiments by the fact that the pivot pin 14bwhich connects the plate 4b to the counter-plate llb extends parallel totheir plane of contact. This pin 14b is advantageously moved out of thisplane of contact from the side opposite to that by which the deviceshould co-operate with the rolled rim 3 of the container and extends asclose as possible to this rim parallel toits tangent.

It is seen in FIG. 6 that, by forming a slight gap between the grippingarms formed by the plate 4b and the counter-plate llb, it is possible toengage the clips 5b of the plate 4b around the rim 3, cause the coactingclip 10b of the counter-plate 11b to pass around the same rim 3, on theopposite side of the container, and to engage it beneath the said rim bylifting the counter-plate 11b against the plate 4b. This lifting actionof the plate 1 1b can be facilitated by a tongue 18 which is anextension of the coacting clip 10b, perpendicular to the counter-plate11b, and which can be easily pushed against the cylindrical wall 1 ofthe container. It is seen from the embodiment according to FlGS. 6 and 7that the tapped hole 6b is formed in the counter-plate 11b, as it isthis latter which has to be sandwiched between the container and theplate 4b.

It is seen that when the coupling 7 is screwed into the hole 6b of thecounter-plate 11b, the clips 5b and the coacting clip 10b are lockedwithout any play beneath the device, which offers a solid supportingbase to the coupling 7, permitting it to be pressed with force againstthe wall 2 of the container.

instead of connecting the plate and the counter-plate by a pivot 14,14b, it is also possible, as shown in the embodiment of theinventionillustrated in FIG. 8, to connect them to one another by meanswhich permit them to slide one upon the other in the direction of adiameter common to the holes 6c and 12c extending through them.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, in which the plate 40carries two clips 50 and the counterplate carries two coacting clips100, the sliding means are arranged on the common axis of symmetry ofthe plate and counter-plate. They can be formed on one side by two smalltongues 19 cut in the plate 4c, passed through a slot 20 of thecounter-plate 11c and bent back on this latter and, from the other side,by a rivet 21 which is fixed in the plate 40 and which extends with acertain play through the slot 22 of the counterplate llc. The slots 20and 22 of the counter-plate 11c extend along the axis of symmetry commonto the plate 4c and to the counter-plate 11c.

It is apparent that, with the arrangement shown in FIG. 8, it ispossible to space the coacting clips c from the clips 5c by pulling thecounter-plate 11c beneath the plate 4c until the small tongues 19 andthe rivet 21 abut against the opposite ends of their slots and 22,respectively. It is then easy to attach the plate 40 by its clips 5caround the rolled rim 3 of a container, such as shown in FIGS. 2, 6 or7, and then to push the counter-plate 11c beneath the plate 4c forengaging its coacting clips 10c beneath the opposite side of the rolledrim 3. When the coacting clips 10c are fully engaged beneath the rolledrim 3 of the container, the hole 12c of the counter-plate He must beexactly in alignment with the threaded hole 60 of the plate 4c, so thatby screwing the coupling 7 into this latter, the nonthreaded end of thecoupling will penetrate into the smooth hole 12c, thereby locking thecounter-plate 11c beneath the plate 40.

As a consequence, and regardless of which embodiment has been adopted,there is obtained a connecting or attachment device for a coupling for adispensing device on a container of fluid under pressure, which remainsperfectly locked on this container as long as this coupling is leftscrewed into the device.

It will be observed that the container, instead of itself being piercedby the point 9 of the coupling, may comprise a valve-type closure deviceat the centre of the wall 2, axially of the hole 6 or coupling 7, suchas the device described in French Patent 1,601,667. Such an arrangementavoids all conseuqnences to the user of an incorrect operation, whichwould consist for example of unscrewing the coupling 7 before thecontainer is completely empty, since the valve would then automaticallyclose the coupling orifice and would avoid the escape of the fluid underpressure which, particularly when it is formed by a liquefiedcombustible gas, could cause a fire or even an explosion.

What we claim is:

l. A device to connect a coupling for a dispensing device to a containerof fluid under pressure, of the type comprising a plate which is formedat the edge with clips capable of being engaged from one side of thecontainer around a rim surrounding the end wall, the plate having atapped hole into which the coupling can be screwed, causing it to bearagainst the wall of the container to drive in a needle or rod capable ofpuncturing the wall or of opening the member of a holding valve which isprovided thereon, so as to establish free communication between thecoupling and the interior of the container, wherein a movable elementhaving at least one coacting clip capable of being engaged around therolled rim is provided, the coupling when it is screwed into the plate,being arranged to cause the clip of the movable element to be locked inits engaged position around the rolled rim.

2. A device according to claim 1, characterised in that the clip orclips provided on the plate, and the co= acting clip or clips providedon the counter-plate, are formed by flanged rims capable of enclosingover a significant length one of the opposite halves of the rolled rimof the container.

3. A device according to claim 1, characterised in that the movableelement is formed by a counter-plate having a hole which, when it isbrought into coincir. dence with the hole of the main plate and when thethreaded coupling passes through the holes, locks the coacting clips ofthe counter-plate relatively to the clips of the main plate in theirposition in which they are en-v gaged on the rolled rim of thecontainer. t

4. A device according to claim 3, characterised in that the plate andthe counter-plate are arranged to slide one upon the other in thedirection of a diameter common to the holes extending through them.

5. A device according to claim 3, characterised in that only the hole ofthe plate or counter-plate which has to be sandwiched between the otherplate respectively and the container is tapped to receive the threadedcoupling, while the other hole is smooth to provide free passage to thesaid coupling.

6. A device according to either of claim 3, characterised in that theplate and the counter-plate are pivotted to one another so as to form,with their clips and coacting clips a gripping device capable of beingheld locked around the rolled rim of the container or screwing thecoupling into the plate.

7. A device according to claim 6, characterised in that the pivot pinwhich connects the counter-plate to the plate is perpendicular to theplane of the plates and is eccentric relatively to the holes whichextend through them.

8. A device according to claim 7, characterised in that the plate andthe counter-plate are provided, with at least one projection and atleast one complementary centering recess respectively, which enter oneanother when their holes for receiving the coupling, coincide. 9. Adeivce according to claim 6, characterised in that the pivot pin whichconnects the plate with counter-plate is parallel to the plane ofcontact of the plates.

10. A device according to claim 9, characterised in that the pivot pinis moved outside the plane of contact of the plate with thecounter-plate on the side opposite to that on which the devicecooperates with the rim of the container and extends parallel to itstangent with therim.

1. A device to connect a coupling for a dispensing device to a containerof fluid under pressure, of the type comprising a plate which is formedat the edge with clips capable of being engaged from one side of thecontainer around a rim surrounding the end wall, the plate having atapped hole into which the coupling can be screwed, causing it to bearagainst the wall of the container to drive in a needle or rod capable ofpuncturing the wall or of opening the member of a holding valve which isprovided thereon, so as to establish free communication between thecoupling and the interior of the container, wherein a movable elementhaving at least one coacting clip capable of being engaged around therolled rim is provided, the coupling when it is screwed into the plate,being arranged to cause the clip of the movable element to be locked inits engaged position around the rolled rim.
 2. A device according toclaim 1, characterised in that the clip or clips provided on the plate,and the coacting clip or clips provided on the counter-plate, are formedby flanged rims capable of enclosing over a significant length one ofthe opposite halves of the rolled rim of the container.
 3. A deviceaccording to claim 1, characterised in that the movable element isformed by a counter-plate having a hole which, when it is brought intocoincidence with the hole of the main plate and when the threadedcoupling passes through the holes, locks the coacting clips of thecounter-plate relatively to the clips of the main plate in theirposition in which they are engaged on the rolled rim of the container.4. A device according to claim 3, characterised in that the plate andthe counter-plate are arranged to slide one upon the other in thedirection of a diameter common to the holes extending through them.
 5. Adevice according to claim 3, characterised in that only the hole of theplate or counter-plate which has to be sandwiched between the otherplate respectively and the container is tapped to receive the threadedcoupling, while the other hole is smooth to provide free passage to thesaid coupling.
 6. A device according to either of claim 3, characterisedin that the plate and the counter-plate are pivotted to one another soas to form, with their clips and coacting clips a gripping devicecapable of being held locked around the rolled rim of the container orscrewing the coupling into the plate.
 7. A device according to claim 6,characterised in that the pivot pin which connects the counter-plate tothe plate is perpendicular to the plane of the plates and is eccentricrelatively to the holes which extend through them.
 8. A device accordingto claim 7, characterised in that the plate and the counter-plate areprovided, with at least one projection and at least one complementarycentering recess respectively, which enter one another when their holesfor receiving the coupling, coincide.
 9. A deivce according to claim 6,characterised in that the pivot pin which connects the plate withcounter-plate is parallel to the plane of contact of the plates.
 10. Adevice according to claim 9, characterised in that the pivot pin ismoved outside the plane of contact of the plate with the counter-plateon the side opposite to that on which the device cooperates with the rimof the container and extends parallel to its tangent with the rim.